A declaration from President Donald Trump’s administration that the California High Speed Rail is not “viable” is receiving a split reaction from Fresno area elected leaders. Some say the estimated $133 billion project represents more than transportation, while others say money is better spent elsewhere.

What is certain: The price tag for high-speed rail has swelled from the original $33 billion estimate in 2008. In addition, the project is five years past its original 2020 projected completion — with no finish line in sight.

The U.S. Transportation Department released its long-awaited audit of the high-speed rail project on Wednesday after Trump widely criticized the project for being overbudget and delayed.

The document says the California High-Speed Rail Authority “conned the taxpayer out of its $4 billion (federal) investment, with no viable plan to deliver even that partial segment on time.”

A request for comment from the authority went unanswered.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy gave the authority 37 days to respond to the audit under the threat of rescinding the $4 billion.

Assemblymember Alexandra Macedo (R-Tulare) agreed with Duffy’s assessment.

“The federal report found that the California High-Speed Rail Authority is riddled with waste, mismanagement, and missed deadlines,” Macedo said in a statement. “It further asserts that its officials overrepresented the potential ridership. It is time to cut our losses and reinvest those dollars in water infrastructure and wildfire prevention — lifesaving projects that can provide well-paying jobs for skilled workers in the Central Valley.”

The Los Angeles Times reports that about $14 billion has been spent on the project: 82% from the state and 18% from the federal government.

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Dyer Wants Authority to Address Audit, Move Project Forward

Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer called high-speed rail more than a transportation project for Fresno. He said the project plays a critical role in the city’s future.

“High-speed rail isn’t just about transportation — it’s about connecting Fresno’s people and economy to the rest of California. It represents jobs, growth, and long-term opportunity for our region,” Dyer said in a statement to GV Wire. “It’s also a key part of revitalizing our downtown and Chinatown neighborhoods, which have been waiting a long time for transformative investment.”

Rep. Jim Costa (D-Fresno) echoed that sentiment, saying the project brings jobs and grows local economies.

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“(Trump) doesn’t understand the San Joaquin Valley or the legal challenges that have delayed this project,” Costa said. “Instead, he is stalling progress and killing good-paying jobs to score political points.”

At a high-speed rail forum in April, authority CEO Ian Choudry said the hardest parts of the project — environmental review and land acquisition — were done. He also said the $4 billion Biden-era federal investment was essential to the project.

Authority Must Address Nine Shortcomings

The 310-page report found nine shortfalls in the authority’s plan.

The audit identifies a $7 billion funding gap and “no credible plan to secure additional funds” for the Merced to Bakersfield segment. It mentions missed deadlines for material procurements, an overreliance on projections for cap-and-trade revenue — the biggest California-based funding source, and $1.6 billion in change orders.

Gov. Gavin Newsom recently renewed a commitment from the cap-and-trade program to fund high-speed rail with a minimum of $1 billion annually.

The audit also stated that the authority has overrepresented its ridership projections.